IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE???

It feels like I am the only person on the planet here lately...COME ON GUYS!!! I NEED my interaction with you. I've heard several others mention it...how that they need to be hearing from all of us (myself included). We NEED each other...its the whole reason that this group is here...so we can be here for each other. I know that life is busy for us all...I had this big discussion with Mike last night about when its all said and done, no one is going to give a rat's a$$ about how much money we made or what kind of house we lived in...but our legacy...our measure of success is going to be the relationships that we were a part of! We all have a tendency to get on this treadmill of activity...whether it's our job, dealing with family members, trying to get ahead, trying to keep up with the Jones's, making sure that the laundry and housework don't take us over, etc...and our interaction with others suffers because of it. Sometimes we're driven to do things...we may work nonstop, we may eat without moderation, we may spend uncontrollably, we may look at everything negatively, we may have multiple partners....anything to try to fill up a hole of some kind that is within us. I think part of that is a reason that a lot of us turned to food...because it soothed us, it comforted us, and it helped fill up that space that we didn't even know was there. I know that I've been guilty of being so busy or self involved that I didn't take the time to nurture the relationships that were around me. Part of that may have been just exhaustion and frustration over feeling that I was the only one making an effort, and if others aren't going to meet me half way at least some of the time....then why bother? We are all like wells...our interaction with others that is positive, nurturing, and loving, fills us up so that we can give to others around us. But when the interaction over a period of time is negative, or there is a definite lack of effort with the parties involved then the water level goes down. And its not the quantity of the interaction...its the QUALITY. We are going to face obstacles in our lives and things are going to be difficult at times...sometimes down right impossible almost to deal with...but those things do not determine who we are. They are cir****tances...and even though we may not be able to do anything about the cir****tances around us...we can do something about how we respond. I say respond rather than react because responding takes thought...reacting is kind of off the cuff. Sometimes we react, we just can't help it. I'm real big on if there's something in my life that I don't like or if things around me seem to be going to hell in a handbasket, I look at myself first...to see what part that I played in creating the situation around me. There is no blame game...but I look within myself and do some introspection...what part did I play? Did my actions become part of the problem or part of the solution? I've heard people say, we teach others how to treat us...and I believe it...if we don't like the way something is, then what are we doing to make it better? I've been reminded of Liz, a dear friend of mine, this morning. Liz went to the doctor because she thought she had pleuracy (sp?) or a flu of some type. They went in for some exploratory surgery and found a mass, about the size of a grapefruit, in her abdomen. They transferred her to Carraway I believe it was in Birmingham. They removed the mass and discovered that she had cancer. Over the next couple of years I watched Liz, as she dealt with the radiation, the chemo, the nausea, the losing of all of her hair, and was amazed at the grace with which she carried herself. She never said why me? She felt with every ounce of her being that there was a purpose for everything. I believe that her purpose was to be an example...for me...and for all who knew her. Liz died several years ago...I still have a picture of the two of us (post chemo) on my refrigerator. Its there as a reminder of how we can touch other people's lives. Her friendship, her grace, and an unwaivering faith that she carried encourage me even today. Without question...my life was changed...and I was made better....just by having known her. I was very blessed to have shared the several years with her that I did. That was her legacy...she left the world and the people in it better than she found it. I hope that it will be my legacy too. What will your legacy be? Thanks for letting me ramble, Becky

I am here!! I don't have to be at wor****il 4pm. I am fixing to clean my back bathroom. I have to do some house work today. Thanks for sharing that Becky!! You are right. I cant' wait to meet someday. You would think we would run into each other sometime since we live in the same area. I am here for a little while longer...I have to do some research on the internet. Love to all!!! Linda

I dont actually get online until this late in the day anyway or after MN when everyone else is snoozing. I didnt sleep too well last night. I was up and down with hip and leg pain so I had to take another Neurontin and that stuff knocks me for a loop. I feel like Ive been out drinking all night, slept till noon. I probably would still be sleeping if the phone had not woke me up. I havent gotton in alot of protein or water the last few days either so I have no energy today. Ive been doing protein drinks every 2 hours since I got up and will for the rest of the day, that way I get protein and water in since this Isopure is mixed with water. I should feel better by tomorrow but Ive never been a day or morning person. If I had a flood light outside Id probably cut my grass at night! My neighbors wouldnt approve but this heat is taking its toll on me the last few days too. I could post when I drop in so you guys know Ive been here at least. Many times I have nothing new to add or say so I check in, read and go on to bed. As far as leaving a legacy I dont think about that very much. I have a decent home, not filled with fancy furniture or anything of value to anyone but me. I am down to earth person, and as long as it is clean I am happy. I live my life as Ive always had, putting everyone else's needs above mine. I said I was going to stop that and start taking time for ME, but old habits are hard to break and I find Im happier when I can help someone else out, so in a sense I am doing what I like to do for myself anyway. I wouldnt be happy at all knowing I could help a friend, or a family member and I didnt because I wanted to do something for myself. I would be miserable and focused on them anyway. I dont have alot of money and I dont worship monetary things to buy. Dont get me wrong, it is nice to be able to afford new things and have nice cars, take vacations, and the like but to me they are not a priority. My car is 12 years old but it is paid for and I love it. Im much happier living a simple life doing little things, most take for granted, to help another out. THAT is where my personal satisfaction comes in. I love to bake and give it all away, fresh bread and cookies and pastries, you name it. This is mostly during the holiday season tho. I give it to friends and family, usually in a nice basket with ribbons and new napkins or something else useful, like assorted teas and a china cup to drink it from or a teapot, if I know they dont have one. I feel GOOD when I can do something small and insignificant to brighten someone's day. My grandmother is 90 lives in a retirement home with 12 other ladies, many who never have any family contact. I wish you see them light up when I come with some freshly baked breads and homemade jams or cookies or just things like talcom powder and air freshners, bags of mints and candies, or stationary I picked up at the dollar stores, here and there. Little things like that, most take for granted, do make me smile and feel like I know why I was placed on this earth to start with. Reach out to someone else today, commit a random act of kindness on that person even if it is buying a complete stranger a cup of coffee and you will see what I mean. A few weeks ago I had just bought 2 bottles of cold water and was heading to pay bills. I saw a older man sitting on the curb asking for donations of food, not money but food or whatever anyone had to spare. I have no idea what brought the man to these cir****tances and I didnt care. I had my husband pull up and I gave him the water, he thanked me and said he could use it. Later, my husband went back because this complete stranger had worried us both being out in this heat, we worried he could have have a sun stroke. My husband was going to drive him to the local Salvation Army shelter for the night where he could at least get a hot meal, a bath and a decent nights sleep but the man was already gone. Granted in this day and time it is a chance to do something like that or even help a person on the curb, you never know if it is a scam or are they really in need. We werent worried, my husband is liscensed to carry a personal firearm and he keeps a pistol in his pocket at all times anyway. I would have sat in the back with a hammer, he wouldnt have had a chance IF he had wanted to be evil...LOL I dont second guess them, I follow my instincts and if I can help with anything other than money I will do it. Afterall, Ive been jobless, Ive been homeless and that could very easily be ME or my child on that curb than a complete stranger. I told my husband I pray for our children constantly to make it finacially in this world, I could not stand the thought of knowing life cir****tances, found them in this pridicament and no one on the side of the road would even stop and had them a drink of water. I was blessed to have a sister take me and my family in until I could get a decent job to support us otherwise we would have lived out of a car, and my heart does go out to these strangers we see standing on the side of a curb, holding a "I will work for food sign". I NEVER in my wildest dreams ever would have thought I could have found myself homeless but it happened and it took a long time to get to where I am today with the kindness of others that I can never repay so I reach out to those less fortunate instead whenever I can. ANYTHING can happen in a blink of a eye and everything you have today, could be gone tomorrow, and you could find yourself in a situation or a deep hole filled with blackness and despair that you may not know how to get yourself up out from all that has found its way to you. In NOT guillible by any means, I can tell when Im being conned, I am cautious and tread lightly but the jest of all this we are all here for one purpose and that is to reach out to others, not so fortunate, that have a genuine need and help our fellow man in any way we can even if it is handing him 2 bottles of water, through a car window and going on with your day. NOT to tear each other down by being snobbish and holier than thou, that only makes a beautiful soul look ugly and while they may seem like a nice, beautiful person on the outside, on the inside they are cruel, heartless, and self centered. I do not have time to waste on these people, some will never change and my energy can best be used on those who do have a genuine need. I am open to forgiveness and second chances , but I will not make the first step if Ive been wronged. Ive learned life is too short to play these little mind games. I dont have a lot of life left to waste on pettiness, and drama so I choose to spend my quality time doing what makes me happy and that is doing what I can, no matter how small and insignificant it is, to help anyone else who needs it. Have a good weekend! I think Im off to my sisters for some much needed R & R on the beautiful Black Warrior River. I havent told her lately how much I love her and how much she means to me, she has saved my life in more ways than one. Sandy

I know that I have been MIA, but I still love all of you!!!!! I am having it rough with this surgery. I am getting better though. I'll be back to normal real soon. And back to posting. Wanna call me Becky??? or any of yall???? 334-705-0224 home I love ya! Lindy